UITP has launched the Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum to advance adoption of open loop payment systems in public transit, according to the company’s press release.

The Forum will focus on helping cities create sustainable door-to-door tr5avel experience enabled by secure open loop payments systems. It will also guide exchanges on solutions and processes to make it less costly for organizations to use open loop payment.

“As UITP we constantly seek to further develop the integrated sustainable mobility of the future. To do this, it is of great importance to collaborate with external partners and facilitate innovation and knowledge exchange in the sector. Providing excellence in passenger experience is the common goal of each player in our sector — the new Forum aims to align these interests towards common actions and initiatives.” said Sylvain Haon, senior director of strategy at UITP.

UITP is partnering with Visa, American Express and Scheidt & Bachmann to make it familiar to pay for public transport. The parties will bring a platform to payment systems, industry partners, public transport operators and authorities.

“Now more than ever, passengers of public transportation expect cleaner, safer, and more convenient ways to pay when they ride, and transit systems everywhere need the resources to keep pace with these changing expectations,” said Jason Blackhurst, SVP of global seller products, Visa. “By partnering with UITP on the Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum, we are able to help accelerate worldwide accessibility to more seamless, contactless ways to pay on transportation systems, and better meet the needs of transit operators, and passengers everywhere.”

Passengers can use their contactless card to pay for a trip, even if they are not associated with the transport network. They also do not have to install an app. They can use a payment card or a contactless device.